SSC completes 900-foot waterline installation under major freeway in Scottsdale, AZ

Earlier this year, SSC Underground was contracted to install 900 feet of 24-inch casing to carry a 16″ PVC waterline under East Via De Ventura Road in Scottsdale, Arizona.

SSC was uniquely qualified to construct this large specialized project. 

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The water line needed to be installed underneath a very busy roadway that also served as an on and off-ramp to major state freeway, Arizona Loop 101. The construction site was also directly adjacent to 2 very busy entertainment venues, the OdySea Aquarium, and Butterfly Wonderland. It was very important that the construction method did not involve open cutting or trenching the roadway, which would have added more time to the construction process, and caused major impacts to traffic and businesses in the area. 

SSC’s Executive Vice President, Arvid Veidmark III, consulted on the design with the general contractor and owner for over 1 year. Arvid recommended the Horizontal Directional Drilling trenchless construction method. This method allowed the entire construction project to be completed in less than 6 weeks, with very minimal road closures. 

The Horizontal Directional Drilling method was also the most appropriate method because of the depth and distance the utility line needed to travel. This was feasible because of the good Class-A soil conditions in the area, which was mostly free of cobbles and caliche. 

Other methods of construction would have been much more time intensive and costly and would have caused significant noise, road closures, and traffic delays. 

This project was also complex due to the number of entities involved in the design, permitting, planning, and construction phases including the general contractor, DPP-MGC, the City of Scottsdale, the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community, and various specialty sub-contractors. Additionally, special sensitivity training, waste management, and traffic control were required for this job by tribal regulations. 

Initially, SSC’s vacuum division was dispatched to core the soil and locate existing utilities. This helped the team verify the path of the proposed bore was clear of utility conflicts and confirm the placement of entry and exit pits. 

SSC’s construction crews then began to pre-assemble the 900 feet of 24-inch steel casing by staging sections on wooden skids and welding them together. The 900-feet of PVC waterline was then fused together for installation, and casing spacers were assembled. 

The Salt Riva Pima Indian Community allowed SSC crews to utilize a closed and undeveloped section of roadway, directly south of the job site as a staging area. This created an overall construction site footprint over three-quarters of a mile in length, which provided crews with enough space to pre-assemble the full length of casing and waterline. This was critical to the success of the project, and saved a significant amount of time, as the pre-assembly resulted in an extremely efficient pullback and installation process.

SSC was able to the complete the pullback utilizing their 2 track hoes, 2 backhoes, and pipe rollers to move the casing and waterline from the staging area to the pullback pit for install. Once the installation was completed, the pits were backfilled, slurried, and sealed. 

“This was one of the more exciting projects SSC completed this year, because of its size”, said Abe Veidmark, Vice President of SSC and Superintendent on this project. “We had a chance to utilize our drone and capture the overall size of this project on video, which cannot usually be seen from a ground level view”.”We are thankful to have been selected for this project, and we look forward to working on other projects in the City of Scottsdale and on Salt River Pima Indian Community reservation land.”

What Our Clients Say:

  • “My experience with the SSC was positive. Their professionalism, efficiency, and commitment to customer service made me feel confident in their ability to handle my construction needs. I would definitely recommend their services to others in need of a reliable construction office.”

    Kyler Colin, General Managing Partner, Phoenix Water Solutions

  • “I was impressed with the communication and appreciate SSC’s help to get this potholing done in a quick and professional manner.”

    Lynne Stocker, Assistant Project Manager, Garney Construction

  • “Workers were very knowledgeable about how to find the utilities despite differences in the drawings and actual field conditions. Very helpful in going above and beyond by working with us.”

    Johnathan Hoffman, Assistant Project Manager, City of Sedona

  • “Their collaboration with my team on large-scale infrastructure upgrade projects has been exceptional. Their expertise and professionalism have been invaluable in delivering successful outcomes. I highly recommend SSC Underground to any organization in need of top-notch services.”

    Ben Kooinga, Project Manager

  • “The Crew from SSC went above and beyond to locate our water line that turned out to be more challenging than originally expected.”

    Kevin Tallman, Director of Construction, Shane Co Jewelers

  • “SSC is accommodating and punctual.”

    Jeff Strasser, Managing Partner-Custom Structures LLC

  • “We had a project in North Scottsdale that had to be completed while school was out for Christmas break. I gave SSC one week notice and sent them plans with over 80 potholes. They jumped right on it and completed the work for us to meet our deadline. Everyone from Michelle and Arvid in the […]

    Kelley Hlavsa, Project Manager, Achen Gardner Construction

  • “Really appreciate you helping us with our boring need. The drilling crew did a great job and completed the entire job above and beyond our expectations, without any issues. We look forward to working with you again if any such need arises in future.”

    Satya Chataut, BHP

  • “Arvid, you and your team performed a difficult task with precision and safety at the forefront. Well done and thank you for all of your efforts.”

    Kelly Haberly, B&F Contracting

  • “Just wanted to reach out and say thank you for your crews’ work today at Asante Well #4. They were safe, professional, and went above and beyond making sure the site was cleaned up after they left. Please pass my thanks onto your crew.”

    JT Core, Felix Construction

  • “Just wanted to say thank you for the safety culture your company has. It’s a breath of fresh air to see other companies embracing being safe. I sat in on your crews’ safety meeting this morning prior to the start of their work on Ray Rd. “

    Scott Nunemaker – Vice President, RCCM

  • “Kuddos to your guys. Not once has any of your foreman’s EVER put up a fuss when I’ve asked them to work a little late. Response is always “whatever you want and we’ll stay as long as you need us to.” I really appreciate all the hard work they do for me.”

    Travis Barrick – Field Supervisor, Felix Construction

  • “A big thank you to SSC for jumping on this quickly as they did to help the team get this information so quickly. It’s much appreciated and was pretty impressive to see 5 separate potholing crews descend upon Rio Salado the way they did today!”

    Christopher Laute, Resident Engineer, Valley Metro

  • We’ve used SSC for a number of years and I’ve been very pleased. Thanks and keep up the great work.

    Dave Klann, Staff Engineer, Mactec

  • SSC did a great job. Their assistance during pre-construction was greatly appreciated and differentiated them from the competition. Keep doing what you do best!

    Jim Drago, Sundt Construction

  • I called with short notice to some work and SSC responded immediately. In this market, dollars seem to control everything and quality of people and work seem to have diminished. The professionalism and hard work of your crew takes me back to when people knew what they were doing and cared. Intelligent guys that work […]

    Lonnie Ferguson, Project Manager, Construction 70

  • As a civil engineering consultant, I usually recommend your services but rarely use them with the exception being vacuum excavating. I have attended your seminars in the past and find them very helpful. I recommend continuing the education to make designers better. If we understand and know how to specify your service, we are more […]

    Bill Gasque, Sr. Civil Engineer, Dowl HKM

  • SSC handled the project perfectly even went above to schedule directly with the gas company, made my job easier.

    Tony Smith, Owner, Western Underground

  • You and your staff are always responsive to our needs and make sure you clearly understand the scope of the work in advance, so there are no surprises. I really appreciate that attitude.

    Michael Rhodes, Civil Engineer, Gila River Indian Community

  • Overall a good company. Very professional in approach and execution of work. Courtesy and respect shown by all personnel, a welcome rarity in the business. Keep doing what you’re doing, and thank you.

    M. Gartner, Project Manager, Sybrant Construction

  • Your field crew did a great job!

    Nick Nikrant, Project Manager, Builders Guild

  • Crew was courteous & helpful.

    Jayde Bullard, Project Manager, Caljet of America, LLC.

  • This is the second time working with this foreman. Will request him again. Easy to work with.

    David Willett, Aero Automatic Sprinkler Co.

  • Superb foreman…Exceptional!

    Curtis Briggs, Shea Homes

  • Great work! SSC was timely, responsive and professional. I would use them again.

    Stewart Vaghti, Project Engineer, Gannett Fleming, Inc.

  • I have always had good and quick service from SSC.

    Sally Raymer, Sundt Construction

  • Arvid was very accommodating in getting crew onsite within 2 hours of my call.

    Dennis Sime, Project Superintendent, Hunter Contracting

  • First I want to express once again how impressed I am with you and your support group. You are all “top notch.” Yes the job went well and I appreciate your help. It really made a huge difference on such a critical facility. I still can’t believe (even though I saw it with my own […]

    David McKinley, VFC-Arizona

  • Great service on short notice. Thanks!

    Richard Komzelman, Carson Construction

  • The entire SSC crew was extremely professional and flexible. All of your company’s efforts are greatly appreciated and you will be our boring subcontractor on any future projects.

    Ben Myers, Project Manager, GRG Construction

  • Your team made this challenging casing push a success.

    Michael Fossett, Project Manager, SDB Inc.

  • Extensive knowledge of the local soil conditions coupled with their proven skills has insured that every job is completed within our schedule and budget. We’ve worked with SSC for many years and always found them to more than equal our high required standards and able to complete any task.

    Brian Chavez, Chief Estimator/Project Manager, Tyers Contracting

  • I would like to thank you for your prompt response to our urgent need for your services. The men you sent did a fantastic and quick bore. We do so appreciate your company for that. Thanks!

    Patricia Riggs, Town of Gila Bend

  • Our job was especially challenging. The SSC team worked six days, around the clock and the testimony to the success of their efforts is that the general public never knew they were here. An additional thanks to SSC for their professional courtesy. In our industry, it is something I do not encounter often enough.

    Chris McCoy, Superintendent, Gilbane Building Company

  • Your project manpower’s knowledge, attitude, safety and work ethic are outstanding!

    Mike Levi, Estimator/Project Manager, Holloman Corporation